Australia gave up some early advantages on Sunday morning (AEDT) and were ultimately outpaced in the second half by a victorious English outfit, finishing with a scoreline of 21-37.
All the wash-up from England vs Wallabies:
» Five talking points from the match
» What changes should Australia make for 2017?
» Vote on our DIY Player Ratings
» Re-live the match with our live blog
» Watch all the highlights from the match
Sefanaia Naivalu proved his worth as a starter early on in the piece, scoring the first try of the match in the sixth minute, before it was duly converted by Bernard Foley, putting Australia up 7-0.
A penalty goal in the 14th minute then gave the Wallabies a 10-0 advantage, and with such a fast start it seemed like a ground-breaking win might be on the cards against the home side.
It was not to be however. England put on two penalty goals of their own in the next ten minutes before their first try of the game, through Jonathan Joseph – and coverted by Owen Farrell – gave them a 3-point lead.
Australia retook the led before half time with two more penalty goals of their own putting them in the lead 16-13, but a dominant second half from England was too much for the visitors to withstand.
Marland Yarde put down England’s second try in the 44th minute and the conversion from Farrell but the homeside up 20-16, before an excellent solo try from Ben Youngs and another conversion gave England seven more points in their lead.
Another penalty goal for Owen Farrell moved things out to a 30-16 advantage for England, essentially sewing up the game.
Sekope Kepu would add a second try for the Wallabies in the 65th, but Foley’s failed conversion attempt meant the Wallabies were still nine point in arrears – and it would be their last score of the match.
Finally, Jonathon Joseph added his second try to the stats sheet as the clock wound down, the conversion from George Ford making the final scoreline read 37-21 in favour of the home team.
The loss caps off what has been a disappointing season for the Wallabies in which they failed to find a win against England or New Zealand in seven attempts, and only recorded victories over South Africa, Argentina (twice), Wales, Scotland and France.
For England on the other hand it means an undefeated season and they can now without a doubt consider themselves at least the second-best team in the world. Who knows how they’ll fare against the All Blacks – but that is a question for 2017 and beyond.
Mzilikazi
Guest
Would be good if you could do a bit better than snipe..........You don't ever seem to have much to say of a constructive nature
Red Kev
Guest
No but he can't replace the Ice Man's brilliant goal kicking!
Red Kev
Guest
What's your point Waratah minion?
Mzilikazi
Guest
Yes, this conversation should be had......the referee is a professional, and every perfomance should be evaluated. A poor performance should see consequences. And every coach should have the right to ask for review of anything they wish post match....and be given a proper reply/explanation. You are spot on about putting the boot into the WB's. This is a good team that played well for much of the game....and you are right about the Yarde try...that was a disgraceful award.
Lroy
Guest
As bad as the refereeing may have been.. its Cheika who kept picking that idiot Phipps...Its Cheka who kept playing Folua at fullback despite his non existent kicking and poor positional play...its Cheika who picked that clown Mumm who individually conceded 13 points against Ireland.... so whinge and beech all you want champ.. this is all on you!!!
Shane D
Roar Rookie
BB - the backs are goid on attack but teams target players playing out of their normal positions on defence. NZ quickly work out where the 10 is defending in the wing & high kick towards him as an example. If I was a Wallaby wing I would be annoyed at being sent into the line to defend from set piece rather than being able to use my skills in counterattack. Hodge looks like he doesn't know what position he is supposed to be playing at times. Can you imagine NZ putting Savea, Ben Smith or Dagg into the front line at set piece & losing their counter attacking thrust from the back returning kicks?
Shane D
Roar Rookie
That is a great line! Respirate unaided!
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Debreczeni was poor this season & CLL has more important battles to win than rugby at the moment.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
This has to be a wind up. No one is this dumb and still manages to respirate un aided.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Cliff, if he is good enough to be selected at test level then he is good enough to do the basics well.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Correct - Naivalu grew up in Fiji & has been in Australia's for 3 years.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
But on the dim side the Wallabies played in the RWC final last season & this year have a winning percentage of 40%. Last season they won the RC & beat NZ. This season has been a disappointment & in my view a regression.
ethan
Guest
Very brave. Do they win?
ethan
Guest
If you read my other posts you'd see I understand we have plenty to improve, but read with one eye if you wish. There are many reasons why the WBs are in the situation they are now and trust me, it has nothing to do with my attitude! LIne ball forward passes are fine. Two metre forward passes are not. What I don't want is a different standard. What I want is better consistency. If you cannot see the things I pointed out about the referee, than you didn't watch the game closely enough. They were very obvious.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Yeah t'is
Verisimilitude
Guest
Worst refereeing I have seen all season. jaco Pepper should never get another game. Blatant illegal play unpunished, neck roll on Pocock is a yellow card for every other game. Multiple forward passes and knock ons not called. Jaco go home. No credit to the English cause with referreeing like that they barely needed to show up for the win.
soapit
Guest
yep i love hodges pace but every second time he makes a half break he loses the ball. not good enough. promoted a little too early out of necessity to be fair.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I'm really not sure who you and others like this guy ethan are trying to convince by this nonsense (yourselves?) but it really is crushingly sad. I wish you knew. I'm sorry.
Taylorman
Guest
Well at least we made up for it with the 34 from 48 losses since then. Did you get told that on all those occasions too? I'd hate to think we weren't being consistent with that assertion.
soapit
Guest
your opinion on it isnt really worth much tho is it.